Statement by Counselor Ms. María Paula Mac Loughlin

October 26

Mr. High Representative, Directors of the Regional Centers and Dear Colleagues,

I would like to avail this opportunity to extend my country´s congratulations to the three UN Regional Centers for Peace, Disarmament and Development at their 30th anniversary.

Although the 2030 Agenda was adopted only one year ago, the UN Centers have been actively contributing since long to the coordination of the United Nations efforts towards peace and disarmament and to the promotion of economic and social development. Hence, today, their work reinforces and articulates States commitments on the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Argentina recognizes the assistance provided by the Lima Center, at the request of the countries of the region, through activities of capacity building and technical assistance in the implementation of disarmament and non- proliferation instruments. Argentina attaches great importance to the work undertaken jointly with UNLIREC in the area of small arms and light weapons and on the implementation of Resolution 1540, as well. I would like to highlight that at the sub-regional level, UNLIREC also provides its valuable views and support to MERCOSUR´s Group on fire arms and ammunitions.

Over the years, in our countries, UNLIREC has managed to develop valuable technical cooperation not only with specific areas of government but also with parliamentarians and civil society, helping to involve major stakeholders in the promotion of peaceful and inclusive societies through the implementation of  disarmament, arms control and non-proliferation commitments.

Let me congratulate again the three UN Centers and reiterate Argentina´s gratitude and support to the work of UNLIREC and the Office of Disarmament Affairs.